Manchester United’s first team might be stuck in the purgatory of mediocrity, but the academy is shining, and the two crown jewels in Chido Obi and JJ Gabriel interacted recently.
Chido Obi is no longer an unknown quantity after his first-team debut last season, while JJ Gabriel is quickly reaching that status despite being just 15.
Gabriel has taken the U18s by storm despite being so young and this being his first proper season with the team, with the latest performance his biggest one yet.
The youngster scored a hat-trick as Man Utd U18s thumped Liverpool U18s 7-0 away from home to stamp their superiority at the academy level, and Chido Obi was there to react.
Chido Obi, Joshua Zirkzee of Manchester United in action during a first team training session at Carrington Training Ground on October 17, 2025
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Chido Obi reacts to JJ Gabriel’s hat-trick
Gabriel has been scoring for fun at the U18s level, and the Liverpool defenders were the latest to get bamboozled by the teenage prodigy.
He showed all the tricks in his book en route to a hat-trick, and Obi, who was doing the same at this level this time last year, was in disbelief.
Gabriel posted a collage of his pictures on Instagram after the game, with three emojis – black, red, and white, signifying his three goals.
Obi summed up the feeling of Man Utd fans watching Gabriel, which is one of amazement and disbelief, reacting with three laughing/crying emojis.
Chido Obi reacts to JJ Gabriel's hat-trick for Man Utd U18s against Liverpool U18s
Chido Obi reacts to JJ Gabriel’s hat-trick for Man Utd U18s against Liverpool U18s
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Ethan Wheatley, who is no stranger to dominating at the youth level for Man Utd, said, “Too good”, while Louie Bradbury, who scored in the game after a long absence from injury, also reacted in disbelief.
Jim Thwaites and Jack Fletcher were among the others to react as Gabriel’s star continues to soar with every game and statement performance.
Sum up JJ Gabriel in one word…ð¥
JJ Gabriel celebrates for Manchester United.
Photo by Poppy Townson – MUFC/Manchester United via Getty Images
Man Utd will need to strike the sweet spot with Gabriel
At a club where the pressure and scrutiny are already uncomfortably high, United will go through a baptism of fire when it comes to JJ Gabriel.
Gabriel’s generational potential has already made him a worst-kept secret despite being so young that he’s not even eligible to play senior football.
At a time when Ruben Amorim is repeatedly stressing the need for youngsters to stay grounded and wait for their opportunity, United need to strike a sweet spot.
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They have to make sure Gabriel’s eventual promotion is earned, while also fast-tracking him so he doesn’t feel stagnated.
The interest in his services as soon as he turns 16 will be intense, and it will be up to United to make him feel that Old Trafford is the best place for him to continue his development.